​Tensions have flared in Osun State following an order by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) freezing a primary operational account of the Osun State Government domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria Plc, precisely ten days ahead of the state’s gubernatorial election.
​The account restriction, which took effect early Tuesday morning around 8:30 AM at the First Bank regional office along Gbongan–Ibadan Road in Osogbo, has sparked intense political sparring between the state government, opposition parties, and civil society groups.
​According to sources close to the anti-graft agency’s zonal office in Ibadan, Oyo State, the freeze order follows an ongoing investigation into alleged emergency fund diversions, money laundering, and suspicious multi-billion naira transactions executed in the weeks leading up to the election.
​”The commission acted on intelligence regarding unusual fund movements from the state’s main expenditure account,” an EFCC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated. “Our primary objective is to safeguard public funds and prevent the illegal mobilization of state resources for political patronage or vote-buying.”
​Reacting swiftly during an emergency press briefing held at 2:00 PM at the State Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, state officials condemned the move as an act of political sabotage designed to paralyze government operations and destabilize the ruling party’s campaign activities.
The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi speaking alongside the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, described the freezing order as illegal and unconstitutional:
​”This action by the EFCC is a brazen abuse of power and an attempt to crippling administrative operations, including the payment of civil servants’ salaries and critical public services. There is no legal foundation for an anti-graft agency to abruptly freeze a state government’s primary transaction account, especially on the eve of a critical election.” said Oluomo Alimi.
​The state government confirmed that its legal team has already approached the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo to file an urgent motion challenging the legality of the restriction and seeking an immediate order to unfreeze the account.
​Bank officials at the First Bank branch in Osogbo confirmed receiving the directive from executive management following a formal court order obtained by the EFCC. While operations at the branch remained open to regular customers, government-related transactions tied to the specific account have been halted.
​Financial analysts note that the freezing of state accounts in the final stretch of an election campaign risks stalling local public finance activities and civil service disbursements across Osun State’s 30 Local Government Areas.
​With the governorship election scheduled for next week, political observers warn that the standoff could heighten security concerns and public anxiety across the state.
​Security agencies, including the Osun State Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have reportedly deployed extra personnel around key government infrastructure, anti-graft offices, and major bank branches in Osogbo to prevent any breach of public order.
